System and Method for Processing Import/Export Transactions

ABSTRACT

Import/export transactions whereby an item is to be transported from one country to another are automated. An invoice containing a list of one or more part numbers is entered in at a web site and loaded to a server containing a database. A database is of part numbers and their corresponding tariff classification numbers. The uploaded invoice will be compared to the database to output a data record whereby the one or more part numbers uploaded in the invoice now have tariff classification numbers and daily calculation associated therewith This data record can then be accessed over the Internet at another web site by a customs broker for use in transmitting a report to a customs entity.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of and claims priority toU.S. application Ser. No. 09/576,462, filed on May 23, 2000.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates in general to processing customstransactions, and in particular, to the automation of the processing andstorage of parts and tariff number assignments with summarization forcustoms reporting purposes utilizing the Internet.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

For thousands of years people of the world have engaged in trade. Tradefuels economies, creates jobs, increases the selection of goodsavailable to consumers, and promotes the diffusion of cultures. In manycountries, including the United States (“U.S.”), one of the earliestsources of revenue to the government was the assessment of dutiesagainst imported goods. Until recently, each country tended to use theirown singular system for categorizing imported goods. Since 1988, manycountries of the world have begun using a harmonized system of tariffclassification that was adopted at the International Convention on theHarmonized Commodity Description and Coding System. As a result, thetariff number headings and sub-headings are now the same in any countrythat is a signatory to the Harmonized System Convention. The tariffnumbers and commodity descriptions are published by each country andmandated to be used for almost every imported item. The tariff numbersprovide governments a systematic way to categorize all imported goods,to make duty assessments, to gather trade statistics, to share tradedata with other countries, and for other purposes. In most countries,the tariff number must be determined and reported at the time of exportand then at the time of importation into the destination country. Forshipments between countries that have adopted the Harmonized SystemConvention, the assigned tariff numbers have validity in both countries.

U.S. importers are required by Jaw to take responsibility for providingto U.S. Customs the correct tariff classification for each imported itemand to pay the correct duty on the goods imported. In common U.S.business practice the importer employs the services of a custom housebroker to handle most aspects of their import customs clearances.However, with passage of the Customs Modernization Act in 1993 theimporter became fully liable for the accuracy of informationpresented—regardless of who does the customs compliance work.

The process of identifying and assigning tariff numbers to commoditiesis often inexact, tedious, and manually performed. Much of theinformation and resources necessary for accurate tariff processing maynot be avail able to the customs broker. Importers and customs brokersspend a large amount of time assigning tariff numbers to imported goods.And, it is not uncommon for this process to be performed repeatedly forthe exact same commodity due to the inability to access the informationthat may have already been determined during a previous importation.Working against the legal requirement for accurate tariff numberidentification is the time pressure to obtain release of the goodsquickly. The later objective often compromises the integrity of accuratetariff assignment.

Additionally, the tariff processing is often performed by individualswho are poorly trained and who are burdened with many other imports tosimultaneously process. Complex tariff number assignments and high itemcount imports require an especially large amount of time to process.This time is often not available to the average customs broker.Nevertheless, the importer may still be subject to severe fines,penalties, and sanctions should their customs information be found to beinaccurate.

To further elucidate the process and its greater context, consider atypical air freight import transaction. When the goods are ready to beexported from the foreign country, the shipper will prepare a commercialinvoice. The invoice accompanies the goods as they are transported tothe departure airport. In most countries (and depending upon terms ofshipment) the exporter will contact a freight forwarder who willcoordinate transportation of the goods, prepare and submit exportclearance documents (containing HTS numbers), and will book the cargowith an airline. The freight forwarder also prepares bills of lading asa contract of carriage for the goods. Both the invoice and the bill oflading as a contract of carriage for the goods. Both the invoice and thebill of lading are distributed to the import clearance agent in the U.S.Upon importation, the importer's designated Custom house broker preparesand submits Customs entry paperwork (containing HTS numbers) to U.S.Customs in order to obtain release of the goods.

During the preparation of the Customs entry paperwork, a HarmonizedTariff Number must be assigned to each item listed on the importinvoice(s). In common practice, the Customs broker uses inefficient andimprecise manual methods to determine and assign the HTS numbers. Theextensive contents of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule are perused(containing over 8000 HTS numbers), handwritten notes are consulted,files of previous importations are pulled, and/or printed lists may beconsulted. The accuracy of this process can also be impaired by thecommon usage of Customs brokerage agents who are inadequately trainedand who are burdened with many other imports to simultaneously process.In conjunction with the HTS assignment process, the Customs brokerextracts additional information from the invoice, the bill of lading(s),and other supporting documents. The information is then submitted toU.S. Customs electronically or on paper using forms, protocols, andformats proscribed by Customs. Complex tariff number assignments andhigh item count importations require an especially large amount of timeto process. This time is often not available to a Customs broker.Nevertheless, the importer may still be subject to severe fines,penalties, and sanctions should their Customs information be found to beinaccurate.

An exportation from the U.S. is performed in a manner similar to theprocess just described for importation. In particular, the process ofassigning HTS numbers for export purposes is still usually performedusing inefficient and inaccurate manual methods.

The problem with the foregoing process is that the tariff classificationhas to be performed manually by a customs broker having to identify thegoods, and then manually compare that identification in a tariffclassification book, and then manually entered into proprietary systemsto calculate any duties owed to the government customs office. Such amanual process is tedious, expensive, time consuming and prone toerrors. Therefore, what is needed is a system whereby the importer cantake an active role in managing their commodity/tariff numberassignments prior to importation; when most tariff decisions havealready been made prior to an importation; and when the predeterminedtariff numbers can be quickly and efficiently assigned to eachassociated imported item. For review and use by parties to the import orexport transaction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the above needs by implementing aProduct Classification Database (PCD), which consists of a database andinterface that utilizes Internet standards and protocols to enable usersto input and retrieve commodity information and the associated tariffinformation through an Internet site. In addition, the database will bewritten so as to match most standards accepted today by companiesutilizing supply chain management software systems.

The PCD is designed to meet the needs of importers, customs brokers, andfreight forwarders handling the importation/exportation of products withmultiple tariff classifications per importation/exportation. Because thePCD is Internet based, authorized users will be able to access thedatabase from any PC with Internet access and will be able to createproduct databases, update/add/delete items from existing databases, andperform various reporting and archiving functions. Authorized users willbe able to upload invoice information either electronically or manually.The application will support the electronic upload of data stored incertain commonly recognized formats such as Microsoft Excel®spreadsheets, Word and ASCII. Once the invoice data is uploaded, theapplication will automatically assign tariff numbers to all therecognized invoice items and will generate a summary report in a formappropriate for incorporation into a customs entry.

The PCD can be hosted on a proprietary website.

More specifically, a customer will utilize the Internet website tocreate databases that provide for the storage and retrieval of productand tariff classification data—product ID number, product description,tariff number, units of measure, etc. This information is in turn usedto process import invoices and summarize information necessary for thecreation of a customs entry. The database can be managed by an importer,exporter, or their assigned and authorized agents.

The database can then be utilized by sending invoice information intothe website using electronic or manually entered data. The invoiceinformation will be matched against the online database, the associatedtariff numbers assigned, and then a summarized report is output for usein preparing a customs entry or export declaration.

After the invoice and database information have been processed and theappropriate tariff numbers assigned, an invoice record is created. Thisrecord can be downloaded to any entity that has authorization to accessthis account on the Internet site. This invoice record set can beutilized by the importer or that assignee to facilitate import or exportdeclarations.

The invoice information is retained at the website and is available toany authorized party with access to this account or the Internet. Thehistorical invoice data is also available for analysis using toolsprovided at the website.

One advantage of the present invention is that it provides the importeror exporter with the means to actively manage import or export data(particularly tariff classifications)—from anywhere in the world withInternet access, collaboratively, and in real time.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it enhancescompliance with applicable import/export regulations by providing asystematic, easily accessible, and user friendly means for managingtariff classification data. Improvements in compliance reduce theimporter's risk of incurring fines, penalties, and other sanctions.

In addition, another advantage is that the classified invoice is alsostored for access by authorized parties for summary information requiredby the business utilizing the website application tool.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it providesup-to-date vital information regarding the import/export transaction.

Yet still another advantage of the present invention is that it willserve as a resource for tariff classification assistance that willimprove accuracy and efficiency.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it serves toenhance customs broker/freight forwarder capabilities by allowing themto process more entries per worker more efficiently. Yet anotheradvantage is it serves to reduce the number of errors associated withthe classification process.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technicaladvantages of the present invention in order that the detaileddescription of the invention that follows may be better understood.Additional features and advantages of the invention will be describedhereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptionstaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates the import/export system and method of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a data processing system configurable in accordancewith the present invention; and

FIG. 3 illustrates further detail of the import/export system and methodof the present inventions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forthsuch as specific hardware configurations to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. However, it will be obvious tothose skilled in the art that the present invention may be practicedwithout such specific details. In other instances, well-known circuitshave been shown in block diagram form in order not to obscure thepresent invention in unnecessary detail. For the most part, detailsconcerning timing considerations and the like have been omitted in asmuch as such details are not necessary to obtain a completeunderstanding of the present invention and are within the skills ofpersons of ordinary skill in the relevant art.

Refer now to the drawings wherein depicted elements are not necessarilyshown to scale and wherein like or similar elements are designated bythe same reference numeral through the several views.

The present invention implements an Internet application that willenable importers and customs brokers to create and access an onlinedatabase of parts and tariff information that will facilitate tariffclassification compliance,

-   reduce the time needed for tariff number assignment, and enhance a    company's tariff maintenance and reporting capabilities.

The present invention automates the process of tariff number assignmentfor import and export transactions. Generally, all countries requiresome sort of statistical reporting that involves a tariff orclassification number for a particular item or commodity being boughtand sold with respect to an import or export transaction, along with anaccompanying description. Further, with such an import or exporttransaction, there is usually some sort of duty or tariff rateassociated with the particular item when it either leaves or enters aparticular country. Hereinafter, the present invention will be describedwith respect to an import transaction 101, but is also applicable in thesame manner with respect to an export transaction. Associated with animport transaction 101, an invoice or invoices 102 will be generated inaccordance with the purchase agreement for the imported goods, wherebythe invoice 102 will include a list of the items to be bought andimported. The invoice 102 will have a list of the part numbers orcommodities involved in that transaction as being exported or imported.

FIG. 3 illustrates further detail of a sample invoice 102 where theinvoice header includes the invoice number, reference numbers, theidentification of the seller, the identification of the buyer, the dateand any other details. The invoice detail includes the productidentification, a possible description for each of the products, thequantity shipped, unit price, and line total.

Returning to FIG. 1, box 103 represents, that in addition to customshouse brokers, an importer or exporter usually contracts for theservices of freight forwarders and/or international integrators orconsolidators. Their job is to plan, implement, and coordinate thelogistics of moving the goods. They are responsible for ensuring theproducts are picked up at origin, the proper documents (i.e., bills oflading, export documents, import documents and declarations) aregenerated, and the movement of freight to its destination is completed.Hereinafter, “imports” will refer to all entities instigating an importor export process, including those in box 103. In accordance with anembodiment of the present invention, the importer can then send theinvoice in an electronic format via the Internet 104 to an Internetwebsite 105 (with secure access if needed). If the importer does nothave an ability to send an electronic version of the invoice 102 to thewebsite 105 (the invoice remains as a paper invoice (step 107)), thenthe importer can in step 108 manually input the invoice data at thewebsite 105. For example, website 105 can implement data entry fieldsfor permitting the importer to enter part numbers, descriptions andquantities.

Nevertheless, the part numbers entered into the website 105 are matchedin step 109 to a central database of customer parts and tariffclassification information 110. FIG. 3 illustrates how theproduct/database 110 includes product ID's corresponding tariff numbers,corresponding tariff descriptions, duty rates, etc. The product ID'swithin the invoice 102 and the database 110 are matched in step 109.

Furthermore, step 111 shows that a customer or website administrator canupdate and maintain the part/classification database 110 by adding,editing, or deleting records.

The comparison process in step 109 can be implemented through a processwhereby each of the part numbers (or other product identifier (ID)) fromme invoice 102 are compared to part numbers within the database 110,which will then output a corresponding tariff classification for eachpart number.

Database 110 can be viewed in step 113 by an administrator, and reports112 can be generated so that the system administrator or customer cantrack such statistics as how many times a particular customer accessesthe database 110.

In step 114, not only is each part number in the invoice associated witha tariff classification or number, but the process can also produce anautomatic estimation of any duties owed.

Database 115 keeps a record of every transaction, which can be used forfuture reference.

In step 116, a customs entry report is compiled for the importtransaction, and then a master report is created to facilitate thepreparation of the customs entry. The customs entry report is sorted bytariff numbers and a value is summed for each of the tariff numbers. Themaster report created in 117 is essentially a summarized invoice.Thereafter, the invoice can be downloaded directly into a customsbroker's system 118 for subsequent automatic transmission to theappropriate customs entity. As a result, a custom house broker 118 canaccess the master report from the Internet site 105 for a printout,download the tile, or the file can be sent through a direct interfacewith the Automated Broker Interface software or similar system. Thecustom house broker 118 can then utilize this master report within theirown automated systems to transmit to the appropriate customs authority.

FIG. 3 illustrates how the black box/application 301, which comprisesone or more of the steps 114 and 116 utilize the quantity and line totalinformation from the invoice 102 and the tariff classification, unit ofquantity, and duty rate information from the database 110 to build adata record for each invoice and to compile a customs entry report,which is eventually translated into an outputted master report 117

The present invention can also implement other value-added functions,such as providing other services that might support an import activity106, link up a harmonized tariff schedule 119 in a split screen, or anyother reference databases 120, such as links to the Food and DragAdministration, or to other legal reporting agencies. Further, copies ofthe master reports can also be maintained as customer-based information121 for each of the customer's transactions through this system, whichwill enable periodic reports to be created, etc.

As can be seen by FIG. 1, the present invention can be implemented overa network, such as the Internet, using computers, routers, servers, etc.Each of these components comprises a data processing system in a manneras illustrated in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 2, an example is shown of a data processing system 213which may be used for components of the invention. The system has acentral processing unit (CPU) 210, which is coupled to various othercomponents by system bus 212. Read only memory (“ROM”) 216 is coupled tothe system bus 212 and includes a basic input/output system (“BIOS”)that controls certain basic functions of the data processing system 213.Random access memory (“RAM”) 214, I/O adapter 218, and communicationsadapter 234 are also coupled to the system bus 212. I/O adapter 218 maybe a small computer system interface (“SCSI”) adapter that communicateswith a disk storage device 220 and tape drive 240. Communicationsadapter 234 interconnects bus 212 with an outside network enabling thedata processing system to communicate with other such systems.Input/Output devices are also connected to system bus 212 via userinterface adapter 222 and display adapter 236. Keyboard 224 and mouse226 are interconnected to bus 212 via user interface adapter 222.Display monitor 238 is connected to system bus 212 by display adapter236. In this manner, a user is capable of inputting to the systemthroughout the keyboard 224 or mouse 226 and receiving output from thesystem via display 238.

Preferred implementations of the invention include implementations ascomputer systems programmed to execute the method or methods describedherein, and as a computer program product. According to the computersystem implementation, sets of instructions for executing the method ormethods are resident in the random access memory 214 of one or morecomputer systems configured generally as described above. Until requiredby the computer system, the set of instructions may be stored as acomputer program product in another computer memory, for example, indisk drive 220 (which may include a removable memory such as an opticaldisk or floppy disk for eventual use in the disk drive 220). Further,the computer program product can also be stored at another computer andtransmitted when desired to the user's work station by a network or byan external network such as the Internet. One skilled in the art wouldappreciate that the physical storage of the sets of instructionsphysically changes the medium upon which it is stored so that the mediumcarries computer readable information. The change may be electrical,magnetic, chemical, biological, or some other physical change. While itis convenient to describe the invention in terms of instructions,symbols, characters, or the like, the reader should remember that all ofthese and similar terms should be associated with the appropriatephysical elements.

Note that the invention may describe terms such as comparing,validating, selecting, identifying, or other terms that could beassociated with a human operator. However, for at least a number of theoperations described herein which form part of at least one of theembodiments, no action by a human operator is desirable. The operationsdescribed are, in large part, machine operations processing electricalsignals to generate other electrical signals.

Although the present invention and its advantages have been described indetail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions andalterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

1. A method for processing import/export transactions over a network,comprising: receiving invoice data associated with an import/exporttransaction at a first terminal coupled to the network, wherein theinvoice data includes a product identifier identifying a product to betransported in the import/export transaction; transferring the invoicedata from the first terminal to a server hosting a database of productidentifiers and tariff classification information particular to each ofthe product identifiers; matching the product identifier identifying theproduct to the product identifiers in the database; and outputting adata record, wherein the data record includes tariff classificationinformation associated with the product identifier identifying theproduct.
 2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein outputting thedata record includes e-mailing the data record to a second terminalcoupled to the network.
 3. The method as recited in claim 1, whereinoutputting the data record includes downloading the data record to asecond terminal coupled to the network.
 4. The method as recited inclaim 1, wherein outputting the data record includes printing the datarecord.
 5. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the data record isdownloaded in response to receipt of a request to access the data recordby a second terminal using a web browser.
 6. The method as recited inclaim 1, wherein the receiving of the invoice data further compriseselectronically transmitting the invoice data from the first terminal tothe server.
 7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the invoicedata is received into a web site associated with the database.
 8. Themethod as recited in claim 1, further comprising receiving updates to:updating the database from a third terminal coupled to the network. 9.The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising recording resultsof the matching into a transaction database hosted by the server.
 10. Asystem for processing import/export transactions over a network,comprising: means for receiving invoice data associated with animport/export transaction at a first terminal coupled to the network,wherein the invoice data includes a product identifier identifying aproduct to be transported in the import/export transaction; means fortransferring the invoice data from the first terminal to a serverhosting a database of product identifiers and tariff classificationinformation particular to each of the product identifiers; means formatching the product identifiers identifying the product to the productidentifiers in the database; and means for outputting a data record inresponse to the matching of the product identifier identifying theproduct to the product identifiers in the database, wherein the datarecord includes tariff classification information associated with theproduct identifiers identifying the product.
 11. The system as recitedin claim 10, wherein the outputting means includes a means for e-mailingthe data record to a second terminal coupled to the network.
 12. Thesystem as recited in claim 10, wherein the outputting means includes ameans for downloading the data record to a second terminal coupled tothe network.
 13. (canceled)
 14. The system as recited in claim 12,wherein the data record is downloaded in response to access of the datarecord in the server by the second terminal using a web browser, whereinthe network is the Internet.
 15. The system as recited in claim 10,wherein the inputting means further comprises: means for electronicallytransmitting the invoice data from the first terminal to the server. 16.The system as recited in claim 10, wherein the inputting means furthercomprises means for inputting the invoice data into a web siteassociated with the database.
 17. (canceled)
 18. (canceled)
 19. A systemfor processing import/export transactions over the Internet, comprising:a server, coupled to the Internet, hosting a database of productidentifiers and corresponding import/export transaction information; afirst computer, coupled to the Internet, operable for uploading invoicedata, containing at least one product identifier associated with animport/export item, to the server over the Internet; a program operablefor matching the at least one product identifier with a productidentifier contained in the database of product identifiers andoutputting a data record including import/export transaction informationcorresponding to the at least one product identifier, and a secondcomputer, coupled to the Internet, operable for accessing the datarecord over the Internet.
 20. The system as recited in claim 19, whereinthe first computer uploads the invoice data via a web link associatedwith the server.
 21. The system as recited in claim 19, wherein thesecond computer accesses the data record via a web link between thesecond computer and the server.
 22. The system as recited in claim 19,further comprising a software program for transforming the data recordinto a customs report suitable for transmittal to a customs entity. 23.(canceled)
 24. A computer program product stored on a computer readablemedium and operable for processing an import/export transaction over theInternet, comprising: first programming steps operable for establishinga first web page, accessible by a first terminal coupled to the Internetusing a web browser, that receives data associated with an import/exporttransaction from the first terminal, wherein the invoice data includes aproduct identifier for a product to be transported in the import/exporttransaction; second programming steps operable for matching the productidentifier included in the invoice data to a database of productidentifiers and corresponding tariff classifications resulting in anoutput of a data record containing a tariff classification matched withthe product identifier identifying the product to be transported in theimport/export transaction; and third programming steps operable forestablishing a second web page, accessible by a second terminal coupledto the Internet using a web browser, that displays the data recordthrough the second web page.
 25. The computer program product as recitedin claim 24, wherein the database is stored on a server coupled to theInternet.
 26. The computer program product as recited in claim 24,further comprising: fourth programming steps operable for establishing athird web page, accessible by a a third terminal coupled to the Internetusing a web browser, that enables an update of the product identifiersand corresponding tariff classifications in the database.
 27. The methodas recited in claim 1, wherein the product identifier is unique to aparticular company.
 28. The method as recited in claim 27, wherein theimport/export transaction is associated with the particular company. 29.The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first terminal is coupledto the server over the network.
 30. The method as recited in claim 1,wherein the matching results in the tariff classification informationbeing assigned to the product identifier included in the invoice data.31. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the invoice data listsproducts to be imported/exported, and each product is identified with aproduct identifier.
 32. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein thetariff classification information is a harmonized tariff number for aparticular country.
 33. The method as recited in claim 1, furthercomprising transforming the data record into a customs entry report forthe import/export transaction.
 34. The method as recited in claim 33,further comprising transforming the data record into a master report tofacilitate the import/export transaction.
 35. The system as recited inclaim 19, wherein at least one product identifier is unique to aparticular company.
 36. The system as recited in claim 35, wherein theimport/export transaction is associated with the particular company. 37.The system as recited in claim 19, wherein the first computer is coupledto the server over the Internet.
 38. The system as recited in claim 19,wherein the matching program assigns the import/export transactioninformation to the product identifier included in the invoice data. 39.The system as recited in claim 19, wherein the invoice data listsproducts to be imported/exported, and each product is identified with aproduct identifier.
 40. The system as recited in claim 19, wherein theimport/export transaction information is a harmonized tariff number fora particular country.
 41. The computer program product as recited inclaim 24, wherein the product identifier is unique to a particularcompany, and the import/export transaction is associated with theparticular company.
 42. The computer program product as recited in claim24, wherein the matching programming steps assign the tariffclassifications to the product identifiers included in the invoice data.43. The computer program product as recited in claim 24, wherein thetariff classifications are harmonized tariff numbers for a particularcountry.
 44. A method comprising: transmitting invoice data over anelectronic network to a computer server from a workstation coupled tothe computer server over the electronic network, wherein the invoicedata is an electronic version of an invoice representing a purchase ofthe products by a customer resident within the country, wherein theinvoice lists the products by product number; storing an electronicdatabase of customer products and tariff classification information,wherein the electronic database is accessible by the computer server,wherein the electronic database comprises product numbers for productsparticularly associated with the customer, wherein the product numbersare each assigned a harmonized tariff number particular to the country;a computer processor comparing the product numbers in the invoice datato product numbers in the electronic database to compile a customs entryreport where the product numbers in the invoice are each assigned aharmonized tariff number; and the computer processor using the customsentry report to create a master report to facilitate entry of theproducts into the country, wherein the master report includes theharmonized tariff numbers assigned to each of the product numbers.
 45. Amethod for processing an import/export transaction over a computernetwork using a server comprising a tariff assignment application and aproduct database comprising: receiving, by the server, an invoice from afirst terminal wherein the invoice comprises a product ID correspondingto a product; matching, by the server, the product ID from the invoicewith a product ID from the product database and identifying acorresponding tariff classification from the matched product ID; andgenerating and outputting, by the tariff assignment application, animport/export report using the tariff classification from the matchedproduct ID.
 46. The method as recited in claim 45, further comprisingreceiving, by the server, product information from a second terminal andstoring the product information in the product database wherein theproduct information comprises product IDs, tariff classification, andduty rate information corresponding to each product ID.
 47. The methodas recited in claim 45, further comprising generating a master reportusing the generated import/export report, and transmitting the masterreport from the server to a computer coupled to the server over thecomputer network.
 48. A system for processing an import/exporttransaction over a computer network using a server comprising a tariffassignment application and a product database comprising: a processor;and a memory coupled to the processor storing computer readableinstructions when executed cause the processor to perform the steps of:receiving an invoice from a first terminal wherein the invoice comprisesa product ID corresponding to a product; matching the product ID fromthe invoice with a product ID from the product database and identifyinga corresponding tariff classification from the matched product ID; andgenerating and outputting an import/export report using the tariffclassification from the matched product ID.
 49. The system as recited inclaim 48, further comprising receiving product information from a secondterminal and storing the product information in the product databasewherein the product information comprises product IDs, tariffclassification, and duty rate information corresponding to each productID.
 50. The system as recited in claim 48, further comprisingtransmitting the invoice and the master report from the server to acustoms broker/freight forwarder computer.
 51. The method as recited inclaim 45, wherein the product ID is unique to a particular company, andthe import/export transaction is associated with the particular company.52. The method as recited in claim 51, wherein the invoice listsproducts to be imported/exported, and each product is identified with aproduct ID.
 53. The method as recited in claim 52, wherein the tariffclassification is a harmonized tariff number for a particular country.54. The method as recited in claim 53, wherein the product database iscustomized on a per customer basis to ensure that the matching of theproduct IDs with the tariff classifications is in compliance with localcustoms regulations.
 55. The system as recited in claim 48, wherein theproduct ID is unique to a particular company.
 56. The system as recitedin claim 55, wherein the import/export transaction is associated withthe particular company.
 57. The method as recited in claim 48, whereinthe invoice lists products to be imported/exported, and each product isidentified with a product ID.
 58. The system as recited in claim 57,wherein the tariff classification is a harmonized tariff number for aparticular country.